Blog
Phone Numbers
Voice
VoIP Origination
Billing Telephone Number (BTN)
A Billing Telephone Number/Account Telephone Number (BTN/ATN) is a telephone number on a customer’s account, which some providers use as a way to easily identify an account.
Billing Telephone Number vs. Account Number: What’s the difference?
The Billing Telephone Number (BTN), sometimes referred to as a “pay phone number,” is the number associated with the account for billing purposes. It’s the number used to generate invoices and track usage. The Account Telephone Number (ATN), on the other hand, is the primary number assigned to a specific user or device within an account. An account can have multiple ATNs, each linked to a different phone or user.
Think of it this way: the BTN represents the overall account, while the ATN represents a specific line or device within that account. Bandwidth’s flexible infrastructure allows for complex account structures, making the distinction between BTN and ATN particularly relevant for businesses managing multiple lines and users.
What are the benefits of a Billing Telephone Number?
When Bandwidth submits a port request to a carrier, we provide the BTN/ATN that the customer has populated on the order.
The carrier will take that BTN and search for their customer’s CSR to obtain all of the account details in an effort to approve the port request. If the BTN provided on the order does not allow the carrier to pull up the account records, they will reject it back to us indicating the BTN is incorrect.
How to locate your Billing Telephone Number
Verifying your Billing Telephone Number (BTN) is a crucial step before initiating a number port, ensuring a smooth and efficient transfer. The process for locating your BTN varies depending on your current carrier. So it’s best to reach out to them for the correct steps.
Common issues with Billing Telephone Numbers and how to avoid them
Ensuring the accuracy of your Billing Telephone Number (BTN) is vital for a smooth porting process. Incorrect or inactive BTNs are frequent causes of porting rejections, leading to delays and frustration. One of the most common mistakes is simply entering the wrong number – a simple typo can derail the entire process. Another frequent issue arises when the BTN is disconnected or no longer active with the previous provider. This can happen if a line was closed without notifying the porting team.
To avoid these pitfalls, double-check the BTN meticulously against your previous provider’s billing statements. Confirm that the number is still active and associated with your account. It’s also crucial to inform your previous provider of your intention to port *before* initiating the porting order – this helps prevent unexpected disconnections.
Bandwidth’s dedicated porting specialists can help navigate these complexities. We offer proactive validation checks to identify potential BTN issues *before* they become problems, minimizing the risk of rejection. Our streamlined porting process (called Happy Porting) and expert support are designed to ensure a seamless transition.
For more insights on porting challenges and how to prepare, check out Bandwidth’s guides on the 7 most common reasons your port order is rejected and 8 questions to ask before porting your phone numbers.
How Bandwidth uses the Billing Telephone Number
The BTN is the main telephone number on a customer’s account as established in a service providers’ systems–either a service provider or the customer can decide which number on an account may be designated as the BTN.
For example, in the event of an issue when porting in numbers from another service provider, Bandwidth will use that service provider’s designated BTN on an account to request a CSR (Customer Service Record) in order to resolve the porting issue.
Terms related to BTN
The information provided in this glossary definition does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, nor does it necessarily represent Bandwidth's products or business practices. This page is for general informational purposes only.Related posts
Blog
Phone Numbers
What are toll-free numbers: A guide
Blog
Contact Center
DevStack
Genesys BYOC
Messaging
Phone Numbers
Regulations
The 411
Toll-Free
Unified Communications
Voice
Reverb25 Recap: Bandwidth at the Edge of Every Conversation
